1 / 12Meet the Artemis III crew | NASA has selected four astronauts for the Artemis III mission. The crew will work together on spacecraft operations, mission activities and testing technologies needed for future lunar exploration. (Image: NASA)
2 / 12Randy Bresnik | Randy Bresnik is the commander for NASA’s Artemis III mission. A NASA astronaut and former US Marine Corps fighter pilot, Bresnik has completed two space missions and served as commander of the International Space Station during Expedition 53/54. He has also conducted multiple spacewalks and brings extensive experience in spacecraft operations and leadership. (Image: NASA)
3 / 12Luca Parmitano | Luca Parmitano is the pilot for NASA’s Artemis III mission. An astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), Parmitano has completed two missions aboard the International Space Station and served as ISS commander. A former Italian Air Force pilot, he has also conducted multiple spacewalks. (Image: NASA)
4 / 12Andre Douglas | Andre Douglas is a mission specialist for NASA’s Artemis III mission. Selected in NASA’s 2021 astronaut class, Douglas was part of the backup crew for Artemis II and has extensive training with Orion spacecraft systems. Before joining NASA, he served as a US Coast Guard officer and worked in engineering roles. (Image: NASA)
5 / 12Frank Rubio | Frank Rubio is a mission specialist for NASA’s Artemis III mission. A NASA astronaut and US Army physician, Rubio spent 371 days aboard the International Space Station during his first spaceflight — the longest single mission by a NASA astronaut. He brings experience in medicine, aviation and long-duration space missions. (Image: NASA)
6 / 12Bob Hines | Bob Hines is the backup crew member for NASA’s Artemis III mission. Selected as part of NASA’s 2017 astronaut class, Hines previously served as pilot of SpaceX Crew-4, spending 170 days aboard the International Space Station. A former US Air Force fighter and test pilot, he has more than 4,000 hours of flight experience across multiple aircraft. (Image: NASA)
7 / 12What is Artemis III? | Artemis III is part of NASA’s Artemis programme, which aims to establish a long-term human presence around the Moon and prepare for future deep-space missions. The mission comes after Artemis I, an uncrewed test flight, and Artemis II, which carried astronauts around the Moon. (Image: NASA)
8 / 12Why is Artemis III important? | Artemis III marks another major step in NASA’s return to lunar exploration. The mission will help test systems and technologies needed for future missions, including longer stays on and around the Moon. The data collected will support NASA’s wider plans for human exploration beyond Earth. (Image: NASA)
9 / 12The spacecraft carrying the astronauts: Orion | The Artemis III astronauts will travel aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft. Orion was designed for missions beyond low Earth orbit and was first tested during Artemis I before carrying astronauts during Artemis II. The spacecraft provides the crew with life-support systems, communication and protection during deep-space travel. (Image: NASA)
10 / 12The rocket behind Artemis III: Space Launch System | NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) will launch the Artemis III mission. The heavy-lift rocket was developed to carry astronauts and equipment on missions beyond Earth orbit. It is a key part of NASA’s plans for lunar exploration. (Image: NASA)
11 / 12Artemis missions so far | NASA’s Moon programme has progressed through multiple stages. Artemis I, the first mission, tested the Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket without astronauts. Artemis II carried astronauts around the Moon and tested human spaceflight capabilities. Artemis III, the next major crewed mission, will continue NASA’s push towards lunar exploration. (Image: Reuters)
12 / 12What comes after Artemis III? | NASA plans more Artemis missions focused on building a sustained human presence near the Moon. Future missions are expected to support lunar research, new technologies and preparation for even deeper space exploration. (Image: NASA)